Clicky

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
66
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z981 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Key Specs

Kodak Z981
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 85 x 105mm
  • Released July 2010
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS8
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Kodak and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z981 (14MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The Z981 was unveiled 12 months prior to the ZS7 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Kodak Z981 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the Z981 matches up versus the ZS7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Kodak Z981 over the Panasonic ZS7

 Z981 ZS7 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Kodak Z981

 ZS7 Z981 
LaunchedJuly 2011July 2010More recent by 12 months
Screen resolution460k201kCrisper screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Kodak Z981 and Panasonic ZS7

 Z981 ZS7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Kodak Z981 features outside dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS7 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check out the Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the Z981 and the ZS7.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the Z981 and ZS7 is 66 and 91 respectively.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z981 and ZS7.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Kodak Z981 to produce greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older Z981 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Kodak Z981 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography highlights
45
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Street photography camera
50
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average (540 grams)
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Kodak Z981 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography advice
43
long zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Kodak Z981 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography features
53
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (540 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z981 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS7 Landscape photography information
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z981 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS7 as a Vlogging camera
22
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
heavier than average (540g)
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Kodak Z981 vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z981 and Panasonic ZS7
 Kodak EasyShare Z981Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Brand Kodak Panasonic
Model Kodak EasyShare Z981 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-676mm (26.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 10cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 201 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.20 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 grams (1.19 lbs) 218 grams (0.48 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $299 $350